What is the purpose of your institute?
The Qualcomm Institute (QI) brings together interdisciplinary teams of UC San Diego faculty, students, technical professionals and industry partners to come up with innovative technology solutions to large-scale challenges facing society in the 21st century. QI also aims to keep California on the cutting edge of new technologies in order for the state to dominate tomorrow’s industries and jobs. Learn More
What kind of research takes place in QI?
QI stresses collaborative research in four areas to benefit society – culture, energy, the environment, and health. To enable advances in these and other areas, the institute also invests heavily in technology, namely, wireless, photonics, cyberinfrastructure, and nano-micro-electromechanical systems (nano-MEMS). QI also plays a leading role in the development of new institutes, initiatives and research centers for the broader UC San Diego campus, as it has done on topics from robotics and the brain to design and cultural heritage. Learn More
Who works at QI?
More than 250 faculty members and nearly 120 technical and professional staff at UC San Diego are affiliated with QI, as well as hundreds of student workers, undergraduate scholars, graduate fellows, postdoctoral researchers, engineers, project and research scientists. Find out more information about our leadership and to access faculty and staff directories.
What is Calit2, and what’s your connection to it?
Calit2 is an acronym for California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, one of four Gray Davis Institutes for Science and Innovation composed of consortiums among University of California campuses. Founded in 2000, Calit2 is a partnership of UC San Diego, UC Irvine and, most recently UC Riverside. Calit2 has three sister institutes: the California NanoSystems Institute (UC Santa Barbara, UCLA); California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (UCSF, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley); and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Merced and UC Santa Cruz). In April 2013, the UC San Diego division of Calit2 was named the Qualcomm Institute in recognition of the company’s role as the division’s largest philanthropic donor – reaching nearly $26 million between 2000 and 2012.
Are you part of Qualcomm, Inc?
No, we are not part of Qualcomm, Inc. nor of any other company. The Qualcomm Institute is a non-profit entity that is part of the UC system, the three-campus Calit2 consortium, and UC San Diego. QI is named after the Qualcomm Institute in recognition of its generous philanthropic support.
Does QI offer laboratory space or other research space to the public?
Outside researchers and entrepreneurs can apply to become a tenant in our Qualcomm Institute Innovation Space (QIIS). Many of our laboratories and other research services are available to external organizations on a fee-for-service basis.
What other services do you offer?
QI offers access to a number of services, facilities and resources in Atkinson Hall to members of the campus community (at internal UC San Diego rates) as well as to corporate and other off-campus organizations (at external rates). Research Services include nanotechnology, prototyping, circuits lab, chip-scale photonics testing, and IT systems for telematics and telemedicine. Other services include a start-up incubator, scientific visualization, events, and graphic/web/multimedia design, editorial services and grant writing. Some services charge at an hourly rate; others bill customers as a percentage of personnel and materials costs. Learn More
Does QI take an equity stake in start-up companies in its incubator?
Unlike incubators that exist elsewhere on the UC San Diego campus, QI does not take an equity stake in companies leasing space in the Qualcomm Institute Innovation Space facility. Instead, QI receives income from participating entities to the extent that they hire QI for a variety of services, which also help contribute to the venture’s success. Learn More
Are there other opportunities to get involved with QI?
Faculty not yet listed as Academic Participants of QI are invited to contact QI Director Ramesh Rao about affiliating with the institute in order to be eligible to submit proposals for funding under QI’s Calit2 Strategic Research Opportunities (CSRO) grant program. The institute is also regularly looking for student workers or interns to work in our labs and research groups. All QI employment opportunities are listed on the campus UC San Diego Jobs page; you can also check the QI Job Opportunities page.
Can I host my event at QI?
Yes! Visit our events & presentation spaces page.
How can I donate to QI?
Thank you for your interest in supporting QI! To donate to QI or one of our programs, visit the UC San Diego Online Giving page. There, enter “Qualcomm Institute” in the “Search for more giving options” box; then, from the drop down menu, select “Qualcomm Institute Director’s Innovation Fund” (recommended) or other option.
If you would like to discuss giving opportunities, please reach out to one of the following contacts:
Beth DeLong
Executive Assistant to the QI Director
858-822-1943 edelong@eng.edu
Michael J. Horvat
Executive Director, University Development
858-822-1405 mhorvat@ucsd.edu
Do you offer unpaid internships?
Please see our Education section for more details on opportunities, including internships.
Where on the UC San Diego campus is QI located, and where do I park?
QI is located primarily in Atkinson Hall. The reception is on the fifth floor. Visitor parking is available in Hopkins Parking Structure. For a map, directions and parking information, visit our Contact page.
How do I get in touch with someone at QI?
Please visit our Contact page, the QI faculty/staff directories or the UC San Diego staff directory.